Estes Park News

Meth lab found at California retirement community

The Associated Press

Posted:
06/16/2014 06:44:59 AM MDT

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Police and residents of a retirement community were stunned that a 64-year-old Northern California man arrested during a traffic stop was accused of cooking methamphetamine inside his apartment at the facility for seniors.

"Just shocking someone that age would do that, but actually a perfect place to do it, right? Retirement village, who would suspect it going on there?" Fresno police Lt. Joe Gomez told KFSN-TV (http://abc30.tv/UEVKYD ) on Sunday, the day after Robert Short of Fresno was taken into custody.

Police pulled over Short in a routine traffic stop in Fresno late Saturday. During the stop, officers learned that Short was on supervised release for selling meth. While conducting a search of Short's car, officers found 4 ounces of crystal meth, plastic bags and an electronic scale, Sgt. Brian Valles said.

Investigators then went to Short's apartment at the California League-Fresno Village. There, they found a half-pound of crystal meth with a street value of about $1,700, some heroin and materials for a small meth lab, Valles said.

Short was booked into the Fresno County jail on suspicion of several drug charges, police said. It is not known when he will make his first appearance in court or if he has retained a lawyer, the Fresno County district attorney's office said Monday.

Police said the evidence found in Short's car and apartment were consistent with someone selling meth.

Short's neighbors at the quiet senior housing facility told KSFN-TV that despite the tight-knit community there, they didn't know Short, who kept to himself.

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"I would never guess that anything like that would go on at a senior citizen village," tenant Robin Schramek said.

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